Happiness is found Tuesday through Saturday at Martine’s Pastries. • photos by Keni Parks
Sometimes in life, you just meet good people. I’m talking “salt of the earth” like your mama spoke about. Last week, I met two of my new favorites: Jim and Martine Holzman, owners of Martine’s Pastries.
Martine (who speaks with the loveliest French accent) and her husband, Jim, lived in France for several years while they perfected their art. In 1999, Jim and Martine decided to capitalize on their talent and open a bakery, starting out with wedding cakes. They shifted their business model in 2018 and moved to a new location on the Eastside. They have grown to ten employees, offering pastries, cakes, cookies and now more savory treats.
The 1870 building that Martine’s Café now calls home is not a drive-by; it’s a destination, and one worth the trip. Martine’s offers ready-to-go family size soups and sides, and boxed lunch drop delivery for businesses, as well as curbside pickup. I recommend the perfect little lunch: start with a Croque Monsieur, add some potato salad and end with—well, duh—cake!
Let’s talk about that cake. Martine has been making the most stunning wedding cakes for over 20 years. Anytime you hear of someone getting married and you ask about their cake, Martine’s name is sure to follow. I will let these pictures speak for themselves.
I asked Martine what her favorite thing to make is, and without hesitation, she exclaimed, “chocolate!” She then added, “I love the cakes also; the Pistachio, Buttercream and Strawberry Champagne.” (How she maintains her slim figure around the savory food and sweet confections remains a mystery to me.)
In these days and times, we are finding happiness in small things. I am much more aware of friends, nature and the simple joy that hugging on a close friend can bring. Make plans to stop by Martine’s, grab dinner to go, order cakes for Christmas and feel good knowing you have helped the nicest people keep their small business going. I will be. After all, happiness for me is easily served on a fork.
